Wasps face losing league points and paying compensation after refusing to play their Premiership match against Sale at Edgeley Park last Friday night, because of concerns that a waterlogged part of the pitch was a threat to player safety. Premier Rugby has set up a panel that will decide on Monday if Wasps were justified in their decision after the referee, David Rose, and Sale deemed the surface fit for play.

Wasps have refused to play a Premiership match on safety grounds twice in the last two seasons, but in each case the referee backed them. Under Premiership regulations, it is up to the referee to decide if a pitch is fit for play, after consultation with the two sides. That is offset by an International Rugby Board law which states that if a team have concerns about a pitch they should tell the referee, who must not start a match "if any part of the ground is considered dangerous".

Premier Rugby has collated reports from interested parties this week. Sale have demanded that Wasps be punished. Under Premiership regulations any, some or all of the following punishments could be imposed: the docking of league points; the levying of a fine; the award of compensation to Sale; and the forfeit of the match. The game could also be rearranged.

Wasps will argue that they acted under the IRB rule; that water was lying on part of the pitch; and that Stockport County's FA Cup tie against Torquay United the following day was called off. If the panel rules against them, Wasps will have the right of appeal to the Rugby Football Union.

Wasps are due to feature in a Premiership match against Harlequins at Twickenham on 27 December which is expected to attract a sell-out crowd of 82,000, a record for a club match outside the play-offs. More than 50,000 tickets have been sold so far; three X-Factor contestants will be performing at the ground.

Quins will announce a director of rugby to replace Dean Richards, who left the club as a result of the summer's Bloodgate fake injury scandal, before Christmas. Quins have not decided whether to appoint from within, which would probably mean Tony Diprose being promoted and replaced as defence coach, or to go for an outside figure. The Cardiff Blues head coach, David Young, is regarded as the strongest such candidate

"We have yet to come up with a name to put before the board but it will be resolved in the next couple of weeks," the Quins chief executive, Mark Evans, said. "It was always our intention to replace Dean and we have still to decide whether to go outside the club."

Quins' captain, Will Skinner, who will return from an ankle injury against Leeds tonight, said: "I was asked to voice my opinions on the new director of rugby and I hope they are taken on board."

Premier Rugby has revealed details of a mandatory alcohol awareness programme which has been introduced after highly publicised incidents over the last year.

"As players, we have to be aware we are role models," said the London Irish wing Topsy Ojo, who was one of four England players investigated and cleared over allegations arising from the 2008 tour to New Zealand, but who was fined £500 after admitting being out in a club until the small hours, if not drinking excessively. "When I went through the programme it reminded me of a scary time and you realise now how massive rugby has become."

Duncan Bell, the England and Bath prop, has apologised after he was quoted in a local newspaper as saying that the club's players looked to perform for themselves, not the fans. The England fly-half Danny Cipriani is set to return for Wasps against Leicester on Sunday.